The Syracuse Crunch could not overcome the Connecticut Whale, falling by the score of 3-1 tonight at the XL center.

The Crunch failed to convert on four power-play attempts and drop to .500 on the season with tonight’s loss.

The Whale took an early lead by capitalizing on their first power-play chance of the game. With Matt Smaby serving two minutes for holding Mats Zuccarello blasted the puck from the right point past Crunch goaltender Jeff Deslauriers making it 1-0, 7:31 into the opening frame.

Crunch left wing JF Jacques evened the score by corralling a loose puck and backhanding it over Whale netminder Chad Johnson at the 14:49 mark of the first period. Devante Smith-Pelly recorded his first AHL point, in his Syracuse Crunch debut, by picking up the only helper on Jacques’ goal.

Connecticut’s power-play unit struck again after Josh Brittain got whistled for a double-minor high-sticking penalty. Blake Parlett put the Whale up 2-1 after his shot from the blue line made it through traffic and past Deslauriers with 1:46 to play in the second stanza.

Scott Tanski extended the Whale lead to 3-1 when he lifted a rebound over Deslauriers for an even-strength tally 7:52 into the final frame.

The Crunch return to the War Memorial Arena to face the Hershey Bears at 7:30 p.m. Friday.

Notes: Deslauriers made his first start for the Crunch since a 4-3 win over the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on Jan. 7, 2012…J.F. Jacques' goal was his 14th of the season…Former Crunch defenseman Brendan Bell is now playing for the Whale…The San Jose Sharks loaned veteran netminder Antero Nittymaki to the Crunch Tuesday afternoon.